If you’re wanting a cat with a unique appearance and amusingly mischievous personality to bring home, look no further than the Devon Rex. Keep reading to find out more about these “pixie cats,” such as what you’ll need to know about taking care of one, what to expect in one’s personality, and any health-related concerns you’ll want to be aware of when adopting one of these special cats.
Basic Characteristics of Devon Rexes
Devon Rex cats are a unique breed with a striking curly coat that’s incredibly soft to the touch. These medium-sized cats were first discovered in Devon, England, in 1960, and it’s rumored that they originated from a single curly-coated kitten born to a stray cat. These adored felines became properly recognized in 1979 by the Cat Fanciers’ Association.
Devon Rexes have a lifespan of about 9 to 15 years and grow to an average height of 9 to 12 inches tall. They can weigh anywhere from 5 to 10 pounds, with males typically being larger than females in build, but both tend to top out at a small size. This breed is quite lean, allowing them to be quick, agile, and quite active to accommodate their high energy levels.
Their soft and curly coats have a velvety texture that’s incredibly pleasant to the touch, and these cats will be thrilled about all of the petting as well. Devon Rexes are often referred to as having “rexed” fur, which gives them their unique appearance. Their curly fur is so tight that it can obscure their whiskers, which are typically shorter and less noticeable than those of other breeds, making them much less prominent compared to other breeds.
Along with the unique curly texture of their coats, Devon Rex cats come in a variety of colors, including white, cinnamon, black, lavender, cream, seal, blue, chocolate, lilac, fawn, red, and chestnut. Some may also have calico markings as well as tricolor coats, tabby markings, ticking, or tortoiseshell patterns. Devon Rexes also have large and expressive eyes that come in a variety of colors. They also have large, distinct ears to go with their unusual features, making them resemble something between an alien and a pixie.
The Temperament of a Devon Rex
Devon Rexes are playful cats known for their affectionate and loving nature, and they thrive on human interaction. Many consider these felines to be very “dog-like” in their mannerisms. They do best in homes where their favorite person is nearly always present, as they need a lot of attention and love. They make wonderful companions for those who have plenty of time to play and interact with them on a daily basis!
They will follow you around the home and eagerly join in any activity you may be doing. These loving felines are incredibly devoted to their families and may become quite sad if they are separated from them for very long, hence the need for someone to often remain home and right there with them as much as possible. Separation anxiety is a significant concern for this breed!
However, these cats need plenty of space to roam and adventure in the home. Being excellent climbers, they love having access to high places, so cat towers and cat-friendly climbing areas up on the walls is a must with a Devon Rex in the home! While they’re not overly chatty, they can still communicate their wants and needs to their pet parents when they need to get a certain point across.
Exercise for Devon Rex Cats
Devon Rexes are intelligent and inquisitive cats that love to play and explore. They also have a high energy level, which means they require daily playtime to keep them both physically and mentally stimulated. They are not cats that you want to leave alone and bored all day!
As a highly social breed, they crave attention from their human family members and love to spend time with them. Additionally, they need plenty of space to jump around and play, and they’re known for loving to climb and explore their surroundings. Providing them with some safe climbing structures and a variety of interactive toys is a great way to help meet their needs and let them safely and appropriately burn some of that energy off each day.
Grooming Your Devon Rex
Devon Rexes are relatively low-maintenance when it comes to grooming. Their short, curly fur requires little attention and does not shed excessively. However, it’s important to avoid brushing members of this cat breed because their fur is so delicate that it may break off. Some good rubbing of their natural oils throughout the coat via petting is a great way to keep the fur healthy and soft, though.
This breed is notable for needing its ears cleaned regularly, though, so be sure to help your feline companion get used to this cleaning process as early on as possible. Additionally, regular nail trimming and teeth cleaning are essential to maintain their overall health and well-being, too.
Vet/Medical Care for Devon Rexes
Although the Devon Rex is generally a rather healthy breed, there are still a few health issues that potential pet parents will want to be aware of.
A common health concern in cats, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a type of heart disease that results in the heart muscle becoming enlarged. Unfortunately, this condition is hereditary, and it’s not possible to 100% prevent its occurrence. If a breeder states that their Devon Rexes are HCM-free, consider it a red flag about any other issues they may either be unknowledgeable about or intentionally misleading. To check if a cat has this condition, though, a veterinarian will simply perform an echocardiogram to check for the markers indicating that hypertrophy has become an issue.
Devon Rexes with patellar luxation may have their kneecaps pop up in a way that causes them to hop when walking or to limp around. Although this may resolve on its own and simply go back into place in milder cases, surgery may be required for cats who have more severe cases of patellar luxation that cause frequent or permanent dislocations to occur.
Additionally, Devon Rexes may also have problems with hereditary alopecia (baldness) as well as hereditary myopathy, which can become a serious and debilitating condition for members of this breed.
Bringing a Devon Rex Kitty Home
Bringing home a Devon Rex of any age is a sure way to have a loving, playful companion become part of the family. These people-pleasing felines are a delight to have around, but you do need to be sure you can meet their play and stimulation needs as well as give them plenty of attention. If you’re the type to be out of the home a lot, this breed may not be for you. It’s also important to be sure your home has plenty of cat-friendly climbing spots to help burn off their energy and let them move about as they please, whether you’re home or away.
When adopting a Devon Rex from a shelter or rescue, you can expect to pay about $75-$150 compared to the whopping $600-$2,500 you might pay when adopting a Devon Rex from a breeder. If you’re interested in adopting one of these lovely cats in need of a forever home, a great option for locating Devon Rexes near you can be found here.
Welcoming a new furry friend into your life is an exciting adventure, but it can also take some time for both you and your new feline to adjust to life together. Don’t worry, though—we’re here for you every step of the way. At Space Coast Pet Services, we offer a variety of services to make this transition as smooth and as comfortable as possible for both you and your new furry companion. Feel free to reach out to us anytime!
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